Determination of fracture parameters of FRP composites: A combined experimental and numerical investigation

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites are used in weight-sensitive aerospace type of applications as well as in infrastructure where durability is of real concern. FRP structures are prone to fracture at interfaces or within the matrix which may not be visible from outside. Thus, a thorough knowledge of initiation and propagation of crack in FRP composites is necessary. The present investigation focuses on a combined experimental and numerical investigation to understand the fracture behavior of FRP properly. The finite element modeling of FRP plate type of specimen is done using ABAQUS to estimate the fracture parameters, such as fracture toughness, fracture energy, etc. The same parameters are also measured experimentally by three-point bending tests as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The mode-I fracture behavior seems to be predicted very closely, whereas the observed mode II behavior does not match closely and the reasons for discrepancies are explored.